I'm getting excited for the 2027 NFL draft. And as we get closer and closer to the end of the 2026 college football regular season, and I'm updating my Big Board once again.
My normal disclaimer: This is not a mock draft. What follows isn't any form of prediction for when or where players will get picked once we hit Round 1 on April 29 in Washington D.C. Instead, this is simply my personal ranking of the best players in the class. The list below is based on my own evaluations from what I see on film and some conversations I've had around the NFL. And remember that a lot can change here. Players will rise and fall on the board, and some will even return to school for another year at the collegiate level before turning pro in the future.
Here is my current ranking of the top 25 prospects in the 2027 draft class. And at the bottom, I've included the best players at each position. Check back regularly right through draft day -- I will keep this list updated as the class continues to take shape. But one spot that might not change at all is No. 1 ...
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Positional rankings
1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 222 pounds | Previous rank: 1
2026 stats over nine games: 69 catches, 1,200 receiving yards, 14 touchdown catches
Smith is very clearly the best player in this draft class. He's big, fast and physical, and he snatches the ball on the run cleanly. On 312 career targets, he has just six drops. And Smith has the body control to make tough catches. I love the way that he is always looking to improve, too. Smith worked on his after-the-catch skills heading into the 2026 season, and he has been able to make some things happen with the ball in his hands using his strength and speed.
Ohio State continues to feed him targets (north of 10 per game), and nobody can cover him. That was very apparent against Illinois in September, when he caught 12 balls for 217 yards and four touchdowns. In three seasons at Ohio State, he has 41 career touchdown catches, and he's averaging 16.2 yards per catch. Just an incredible football player.
2. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215 | Previous rank: 2
2026 stats over nine games: 66.7% completion rate, 2,962 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes, eight interceptions; 238 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
Mestemaker didn't even start at quarterback for his high school team; he was the punter, played some safety and was the backup QB. Then he walked on at North Texas in 2024 as a QB before becoming the starter in 2025. After throwing for more than 4,000 yards, Mestemaker transferred with coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. It's an incredible story.
His toolbox is also pretty incredible. I love the way he scans the field and bides his time in the pocket. Mestemaker has the big arm to make all of the throws, with 48 completions going for 20-plus yards this season (most in the FBS). But he also has the mobility to pick up nice chunks of yardage on the ground. Mestemaker shows linebacker-esque toughness and plays with a competitive edge. He doesn't turn 21 years old until January, and he has just 24 career starts to his name. So, there's a lot of untapped potential.
3. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 197 | Previous rank: 3
2026 stats over seven games: 16 tackles, five pass breakups, one forced fumble
Moore is exactly what NFL coaches look for in a lockdown cornerback. He has elite length and ball skills, with seven interceptions and 23 pass breakups over his three-year career. He's scheme versatile, too. Moore displays great awareness and instincts in coverage, and he's a silky smooth mover. His footwork is truly outstanding. Moore consistently performs at a high level, but he's still looking for his first pick of the season. He missed the Oct. 10 game against Stanford because of a concussion but has returned.
4. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Previous rank: 8
2026 stats over nine games: 67.6% completion rate, 2,168 passing yards, 21 touchdown passes, one interception; 98 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
There's a lot to like in Carr's game. He's smart and processes quickly before and after the snap, which is part of the reason he has taken just two sacks all season. He's accurate to all levels and throws with anticipation. And while his arm strength is good but not great, he can cause conflict for defenses with his mobility. Carr can throw on the move or pick up a first down on the ground. Nothing fazes him, and he's always in control. In short, Carr is pretty advanced in the key areas of NFL-level quarterback play. And he was outstanding in Notre Dame's biggest game of the season, throwing for 319 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions against Miami.
5. Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 246 | Previous rank: 5
2026 stats over seven games: 25 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 16.0 tackles for loss, 25 pressures, two forced fumbles, seven run stops
Did you catch Simmons against Tennessee in September? He had 5.5 sacks in that game alone. The production is off the charts -- he has 31.5 sacks, 44.5 tackles for loss and eight forced fumbles over three seasons. And in 2026, he is in the top three in the nation in sacks (10.5), tackles for loss (16) and pressure rate (22.5%). Simmons is the type of closer most NFL defenses want rushing off the edge.
Simmons -- who has missed some time with an ankle injury -- is explosive out of the blocks with natural bend, and he can beat opponents with outside or inside moves. And he isn't given enough credit for the power element in his game.
6. Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205 | Previous rank: 13
2026 stats over nine games: 35 tackles, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, 3.0 tackles for loss, three run stops
Hampton's confidence shows in his play. You can tell he loves matching up with the opposition's No. 1 receiver and going to battle. And more often than not, Hampton wins. He has allowed just 2.7 yards per pass attempt in his direction this season, which ranks sixth in the nation.
He plays an aggressive style, crowding receivers at the line of scrimmage, getting in his hip pocket and disrupting routes right away. Hampton can plant and drive on the ball (though his ball production is only moderate, with five career picks), and he has the recovery speed to make plays with his back to the QB when necessary.
7. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (Fla.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205 | Previous rank: 4
2026 stats over nine games: 76.8% completion rate, 2,694 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, 2 interceptions; 201 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Mensah is at his third program in three years, transferring from Tulane to Duke (where he had 34 touchdown passes last season) and then on to Miami. To date, he has started 36 college games -- great experience for a kid who doesn't even turn 22 until January. He is a smooth, fluid passer with solid accuracy. He's smart in the pocket and manages the game really well. And the mobility is there for him to beat a defense as a rusher when the situation calls for it. Mensah currently leads the nation in completion percentage (76.8%) and QBR (89.0), and he's tied for third in yards per attempt (9.8).
8. Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235 | Previous rank: 11
2026 stats over nine games: 58 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, 20 pressures, 10 run stops, three pass breakups, two touchdowns
Cole is all over the field every Saturday. He's 235 pounds but looks like a safety at the second level. Cole is quick to diagnose thanks to his football IQ and then flies to the ball, especially in lateral pursuit. He is going to be a combine standout with that tremendous speed.
He is versatile, too. Cole can line up off the ball on the inside or on the outside, and he will consistently make plays against the run, in coverage and as an occasional pass rusher -- I see solid bend and burst off the edge. Cole is an outstanding player and is perfect for the way NFL football is played today.
9. Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 208 | Previous rank: 7
2026 stats over nine games: 50 catches, 875 receiving yards, nine touchdown catches
I love the way Becker attacks the football. He consistently wins in tight coverage with his big frame, excellent hands and nice adjustments to find the ball in the air. Becker can locate the open spots in the coverage, and he can stretch the field with his speed. He has averaged 17.5 yards per reception this season. I'll be watching him at the combine; he is going to test really well and should post a pretty fast 40-yard dash time.
10. Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 305 | Previous rank: 6
2026 stats over nine games: 26 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, 27 pressures, 10 run stops, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups
No player in college football has improved his draft stock more since the start of the season than Gilliam, starting with a three-sack outing against Furman to begin the campaign. He has been terrific in his first season with the Vols after following defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and transferring from Penn State. He is incredibly quick and explosive at the snap, and he generates a ton of interior pressure as a result. For a defensive tackle to go early in the draft, he must be consistently disruptive. Gilliam checks that box.
11. Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250 | Previous rank: 9
2026 stats over six games: 12 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 17 pressures, three forced fumbles, two run stops
Stewart didn't play much in the early part of the season. He missed the first two games as he recovered from a back injury, and then he was suspended for one game for punching an Alabama player in the helmet and arguing with coaches on the sideline. But when he is playing, you can tell pretty quickly. His traits jump off the tape. It's just a matter of whether the production can catch up; Stewart has 13 career sacks over three seasons despite recording 85 pressures over those 30 games.
Stewart can vary his path to the QB, and he closes quickly with speed to power. He also has the big frame to hold the point and shed blockers against the run. The pass-rush ability is there, but he needs to figure out how to translate his physical traits into stat-sheet production on a more consistent basis.
12. Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210 | Previous rank: 15
2026 stats over nine games: 38 catches, 669 receiving yards, eight touchdown catches
The Michigan State transfer mixes physicality with athleticism. He has speed, and we see that in after-the-catch opportunities. But he also makes tough tight-window catches and fights for the ball. Marsh has improved there this season, winning in tight coverage more and more (11 contested catches). He has sure hands and can haul in off-target passes. Marsh just turned 20 years old, and the arrow is pointing up.
13. Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 314 | Previous rank: 14
2026 stats over nine games: Nine starts, zero sacks allowed, five pressures allowed
Lauck has been a mainstay at left tackle since the beginning of last season, starting 22 games there over that time (one sack allowed in 2025, none this season). His pass protection traits have stood out in particular this season, as he's technically sound. I see good footwork and balance on the tape, and he sustains well and finishes his blocks.
14. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 307 | Previous rank: 16
2026 stats over nine games: Nine starts, zero sacks allowed, three pressures allowed
Seaton has started 31 games at left tackle, including 22 at Colorado before transferring to LSU before the 2026 season. And he has not allowed a sack since 2024. He can push blockers past the QB and has improved as a run blocker, showing the ability to pull there. Seaton is in great shape this season, and he looks the part. He just needs to be coached up a little to realize his full potential as an elite left tackle.
15. Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 315 | Previous rank: 17
2026 stats over nine games: 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss, 17 pressures, six run stops, four pass breakups
NFL teams love penetrating, disruptive interior defensive linemen, and Echoles gets into opponents' backfields on a consistent basis. He had 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2025, and while the sacks haven't really come yet in 2026, he's causing headaches for QBs with pressure. Echoles is explosive and can beat double-teams with his high effort level. He's also very effective in lateral pursuit. And I like his professional approach to the game.
16. Greg Johnson, G/C, Minnesota
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325 | Previous rank: 20
2026 stats over nine games: Nine starts, zero sacks allowed, one pressure allowed
Johnson has played significant snaps at left guard and center this season, and he's a high-level blocker at both spots. Versatility is one of his best traits; he had 50-plus snaps at both tackle spots last season in addition to his work on the interior. Johnson is a strong run blocker, with an aggressive, nasty edge to his game. He's powerful and can sustain well. But he also anchors well in pass protection, and he has never allowed a sack across 46 career games (37 starts).
17. KJ Duff, WR, Rutgers
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 225 | Previous rank: 18
2026 stats over eight games: 45 catches, 774 receiving yards, nine touchdown catches
You just aren't going to find wideouts with his skill set very often. Duff is a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-6, and offensive coordinators can line him up as a wideout, "move" tight end or even H-back because of that frame. Duff routinely uses his size to box out defenders. He attacks the ball in the air, and I see outstanding hands and body control. He adjusts well to off-target throws. Over his career, Duff has averaged 17.2 yards per catch, presenting his big-play potential.
Duff will miss the rest of the 2026 season, though, after undergoing high ankle surgery. He is expected to resume football activities in January.
18. Kade Pieper, G, Iowa
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 298 | Previous rank: 21
2026 stats over nine games: Nine starts, zero sacks allowed, two pressures allowed
Pieper has played primarily right guard, but he's versatile, and some scouts might see him as a center in the pros. He's an athletic blocker who can pull and get to the second level to help spring big runs. He's also effective driving defenders off the ball. Over 35 career games (22 starts), Pieper has not allowed any sacks.
19. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205 | Previous rank: 19
2026 stats over nine games: 33 tackles, seven pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 run stop
I had an eye on Jones last season for the 2026 class before he went back to school, and his consistency over these past two seasons is impressive. He anticipates well in coverage, and he uses his huge 6-foot-4 frame and long arms to attack receivers in press and make plays on the ball. Jones has only two interceptions (both last season), but he has broken up 18 passes since the start of 2025.
Jones can fly, too. He could put up a really good 40 time at the combine in March. He's comfortable with his back to the QB and is disruptive at the catch point. And he's a willing tackler in run defense.
20. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205 | Previous rank: 10
2026 stats over nine games: 62.7% completion rate, 2,359 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, nine interceptions; 264 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns
A lot will be made about Chambliss' smaller frame and the fact that he'll be 25 years old before the 2027 NFL season even begins, but he's the ultimate point guard at the quarterback position. I'm really impressed with his pocket presence and mobility, and the mechanics are sound. Chambliss puts zip on his passes with a nice tight spiral and avoids turnovers (12 career picks). And he's a playmaker who sees the field well, often relying on his legs to pick up first downs -- or score. Chambliss has 15 rushing TDs over the past two seasons.
Since transferring in from Ferris State and taking over for Austin Simmons early last season, Chambliss has played his best on the brightest stages. He always seems to respond when he's challenged (though he did struggle against Georgia). He's a real leader on offense.
21. Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220 | Previous rank: 12
2026 stats over nine games: 61.8% completion rate, 2,204 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, two interceptions; 66 rushing yards
There is no better thrower of the football in the collegiate ranks right now than this young lefty -- he's a pure passer. Simmons can sling it with the best of them -- the ball explodes out of his hands. But he's also very accurate and mixes in good touch with all that velocity. Simmons transferred from Ole Miss after a 2025 season in which he was hurt early and lost his job to Trinidad Chambliss, and his electric arm has allowed Missouri to hit big plays down the field in 2026. Simmons is 13th in the nation with 10.2 air yards per attempt.
What's holding him back? Simmons has started just 11 career games. His experience is still going to be pretty light by the end of the season, and that might scare some NFL teams. There's a chance Simmons returns to school for another year, and he re-signed with the Tigers for the 2027 season. But that doesn't guarantee that he will definitely pass on the NFL.
22. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 222 | Previous rank: 24
2026 stats over nine games: 66.1% completion rate, 2,024 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, seven interceptions; 279 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
I see the size, mobility and arm strength that NFL teams look for in a franchise quarterback. He can make throws rolling out, and he is dangerous as a runner (10 rushing touchdowns last season).
But Manning is too inconsistent, especially when it comes to accuracy and decision-making. He's going to be a tough evaluation. Watch just about any game he plays, and you'll ride the roller coaster of getting excited about his NFL ceiling and then wondering whether he's ever going to truly put it all together. Manning doesn't see the field as well as other quarterbacks on this list, and he occasionally throws off balance. And while the accuracy is better this season than it was in 2025, it still has to improve.
23. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220 | Previous rank: 25
2026 stats over four games: 69.7% completion rate, 926 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, zero interceptions; 22 rushing yards
Moore's season is likely over after taking a hit against USC and suffering a concussion. Scouts will want to see him healthy in the predraft process, but there will also be questions about whether Moore could return to school because he played only four games in 2026.
When Moore is at the top of his game, he's an impressive passer. He changes arm angles, he's mechanically sound, he displays precise ball placement, and there's good touch on his deep ball. Throws look effortless because of his arm strength, and he can deliver strikes while rolling out. There's even some scramble ability there. The toolbox is full.
But can he take over games against top-tier competition? His performance against Penn State in 2025 (at a time when the Nittany Lions were the No. 3 team in the country) was exceptional. I thought he was going to build on that and enter the 2026 draft as one of the top QBs on the board. But he couldn't bottle that performance and repeat it against other top teams over the rest of that 2025 season. And it doesn't seem like he will get the chance in 2026.
24. Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 237 | Previous rank: 23
2026 stats over five games: 29 catches, 357 receiving yards, two touchdown catches
Green missed three games with a leg injury, but he is 5-for-5 on hitting 50 receiving yards on the season. The physical and athletic traits are outstanding, and opponent defenses are going to have issues game planning around him -- he's 6-foot-7 with quicks and hands! But what really jumps out to me about his tape is his after-the-catch ability. Of his 357 receiving yards this season, 191 have come after the ball is in his hands.
25. Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 225 | Previous rank: 22
2026 stats over nine games: 160 carries, 836 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns; 10 catches, 66 receiving yards
Baugh has it all, including really good field vision, breakaway speed and shiftiness. Baugh can cut back to make defenders miss, and he has the power to break tackles. He's a handful to bring down, and he almost never puts the football on the ground -- he hasn't fumbled since 2024, and that was his only career fumble across 1,186 offensive snaps. Baugh is also dependable as a receiver out of the backfield when called upon.
Position rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
2. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
3. Darian Mensah, Miami (Fla.)
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
5. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Just missed: Arch Manning, Texas; Dante Moore, Oregon; LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Running backs
1. Jadan Baugh, Florida
2. Dylan Riley, Boise State
3. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
4. Nate Frazier, Georgia
5. Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Just missed: Isaac Brown, Louisville; LJ Martin, BYU
Wide receivers
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
2. Charlie Becker, Indiana
3. Nick Marsh, Indiana
4. KJ Duff, Rutgers
5. Cam Coleman, Texas
Just missed: Jackson Harris, LSU; Reed Harris, Arizona State; Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama
Tight ends
1. Trey'Dez Green, LSU
2. Jamari Johnson, Oregon
3. Luke Reynolds, Virginia Tech
4. Elija Lofton, Miami (Fla.)
5. Jelani Thurman, North Carolina
Just missed: Patrick Overmyer, Houston; Kari Ashley, TCU; Andrew Rappleyea, Penn State; DJ Vonnahme, Iowa; Peter Clarke, Temple
Offensive tackles
1. Trevor Lauck, Iowa
2. Jordan Seaton, LSU
3. Trevor Goosby, Texas
4. Carter Smith, Indiana
5. Lance Heard, Kentucky
Just missed: Zereoue Williams, Utah; Elijah Paige, USC
Interior offensive linemen
1. Greg Johnson, Minnesota
2. Kade Pieper, Iowa
3. Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame
4. Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
5. Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
Edge rushers
1. Colin Simmons, Texas
2. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
3. Clev Lubin, Louisville
4. Devan Thompkins, Alabama
5. Princewill Umanmielen, LSU
Just missed: Emmanuel Oyebadejo, Florida; Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama; Marquise Lightfoot, Miami (Fla.); Jordan Ross, LSU; Will Heldt, Clemson
Defensive tackles
1. Xavier Gilliam, Tennessee
2. Will Echoles, Ole Miss
3. David Stone, Oklahoma
4. Ahmad Moten Sr., Miami (Fla.)
5. A.J. Holmes Jr., Texas Tech
Just missed: Enow Etta, Michigan; A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
Linebackers
1. Chris Cole, Georgia
2. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
3. Rasheem Biles, Texas
4. Sammy Omosigho, UCLA
5. Tony Rojas, Penn State
Just missed: Arion Carter, Tennessee; Sammy Brown, Clemson
Cornerbacks
1. Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
2. Ashton Hampton, Clemson
3. Kelley Jones, Mississippi State
4. Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia
5. Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Just missed: Jamari Sharpe, Indiana; Zabien Brown, Alabama
Safeties
1. Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame
2. KJ Bolden, Georgia
3. Kingston Lopa, California
4. Ty Benefield, LSU
5. Jelani McDonald, Texas
Just missed: Jaylen McClain, Ohio State; Amare Ferrell, Indiana; Koi Perich, Oregon; Chris Bracy, Michigan
Kickers and punters
1. Luke Drzewiecki, Minnesota (PK)
2. David Olano, Texas A&M (PK)
3. Daniel Sparks, Virginia (P)
4. Nolan Hauser, Clemson (PK)
5. Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss (PK)
Just missed: Hunter Green, Washington (P); Palmer Williams, Baylor (P)